Niche (horse)
Encyclopedia
Niche is best known for winning the Group 3 classic trial the Nell Gwyn Stakes
and coming 2nd in the 1,000 Guineas, before her career was cut short by a freak accident on the gallops.
Bred by Highclere Stud, Niche was owned by Lord Carnarvon - the Queen's racing manager, owner of top class fillies Lemon Souffle
and Lyric Fantasy
, and grandson of George Edward Stanhope Molyneux Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon
who discovered the tomb of Tutenkhamun.
, Niche started her career with three wins in a row, including the Group 3 Norfolk Stakes.
In her fourth race, the Cherry Hinton Stakes (one of the top 2yo filly races of the season) she met Sayyedati for the first time, finishing fourth. These fillies would battle for honours throughout their two and three year old careers. Before the end of her first season, Niche also went on to win the Group 2 Lowther Stakes
over 6f.
At 3yo, Niche met Sayyedati in the classic trial the Nell Gwyn Stakes
, beating her rival and placing her at the top of the betting for the 1,000 Guineas. Sayyedati hit back in the one mile fillies classic, beating Niche into 2nd. Sayyedati would go onto win the Sussex Stakes
and the Prix Jacques le Marios.
Niche went on to win the Group 2 Falmouth Stakes
beating Dancing Bloom (Princess Royal Stakes
) and Culture Vulture (Premio Emilio Turati, Prix Marcel Boussac
, Fillies Mile), winning unchallenged in what would turn out to be her last race.
, Niche unseated her rider on the gallops, running into the road and collided with a van. She died instantly. Her trainer, Richard Hannon
said:
"'She caught the edge of the all-weather gallop, stumbled and went down, her lad going over the top. I went after her but then she crossed a minor road, which normally wouldn't see 10 cars between 7am and 4pm. It was a million to one chance. My blacksmith was travelling slowly up the road and the filly crashed into his van. She died within a minute. She was one of the best I've trained. I still cannot believe it's happened."
Lady Carolyn Warren, daughter of Lord Carnarvon, added:
"'She was such a gutsy filly, very brave and gave us a tremendous amount of pleasure. It is a major loss for us and must have been horrible for Richard Hannon to be at the scene."
, Grand Prix de Paris
, Greenham Stakes
and the National Stakes
. He is also the sire of popular sprinter Branston Abby.
Cubby Hole, is a half sister to Ascot Gold Cup winner Little Wolf
, but never raced. Niche is half sister to three winners: Wolf Mountain; Holetown; and, Ravine.
Nell Gwyn Stakes
The Nell Gwyn Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid April....
and coming 2nd in the 1,000 Guineas, before her career was cut short by a freak accident on the gallops.
Bred by Highclere Stud, Niche was owned by Lord Carnarvon - the Queen's racing manager, owner of top class fillies Lemon Souffle
Lemon Souffle
Lemon Souffle was a European champion Thoroughbred racehorse, bred and trained in the United Kingdom. In the International Classification for 1993 she was the highest-rated two-year-old filly in Europe and was named European Champion Two-Year-Old Filly at the Cartier Racing Awards...
and Lyric Fantasy
Lyric Fantasy
Lyric Fantasy was an Irish-bred, British-trained champion Thoroughbred racehorse. She was named European Champion Two-Year-Old Filly at the 1992 Cartier Racing Awards, and was the highest rated filly in the International Classification. In her championship season Lyric Fantasy won five of her six...
, and grandson of George Edward Stanhope Molyneux Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon
George Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon
George Edward Stanhope Molyneux Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon was an English aristocrat best known as the financial backer of the search for and the excavation of Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings.-Biography:...
who discovered the tomb of Tutenkhamun.
Racing career
Trained by Richard Hannon, and ridden in all her races bar one by the (then) 57 year old Lester PiggottLester Piggott
Lester Keith Piggott is a retired English professional jockey, popularly known as "The Long Fellow". With 4,493 career wins, including nine Epsom Derby victories, he is one of the most well-known English flat racing jockeys of all time....
, Niche started her career with three wins in a row, including the Group 3 Norfolk Stakes.
In her fourth race, the Cherry Hinton Stakes (one of the top 2yo filly races of the season) she met Sayyedati for the first time, finishing fourth. These fillies would battle for honours throughout their two and three year old careers. Before the end of her first season, Niche also went on to win the Group 2 Lowther Stakes
Lowther Stakes
The Lowther Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at York over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.-History:...
over 6f.
At 3yo, Niche met Sayyedati in the classic trial the Nell Gwyn Stakes
Nell Gwyn Stakes
The Nell Gwyn Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid April....
, beating her rival and placing her at the top of the betting for the 1,000 Guineas. Sayyedati hit back in the one mile fillies classic, beating Niche into 2nd. Sayyedati would go onto win the Sussex Stakes
Sussex Stakes
The Sussex Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August.-History:...
and the Prix Jacques le Marios.
Niche went on to win the Group 2 Falmouth Stakes
Falmouth Stakes
The Falmouth Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.-History:The event is named in honour of...
beating Dancing Bloom (Princess Royal Stakes
Princess Royal Stakes
The British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs...
) and Culture Vulture (Premio Emilio Turati, Prix Marcel Boussac
Prix Marcel Boussac
The Prix Marcel Boussac is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,600 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early October....
, Fillies Mile), winning unchallenged in what would turn out to be her last race.
Untimely Death
Whilst in training for the Prix Jacques Le MaroisPrix Jacques le Marois
The Prix Jacques Le Marois is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbred colts and fillies aged three years or older. It is run at Deauville over a distance of 1,600 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
, Niche unseated her rider on the gallops, running into the road and collided with a van. She died instantly. Her trainer, Richard Hannon
Richard Hannon
Richard Hannon is a British horse trainer based in East Everleigh Stables, Marlborough, Wiltshire.Hannon's family has a tradition of horse training—his father was also a horse trainer, his son Richard is currently the assistant trainer, and his son-in-law Richard Hughes is the stable jockey. ...
said:
"'She caught the edge of the all-weather gallop, stumbled and went down, her lad going over the top. I went after her but then she crossed a minor road, which normally wouldn't see 10 cars between 7am and 4pm. It was a million to one chance. My blacksmith was travelling slowly up the road and the filly crashed into his van. She died within a minute. She was one of the best I've trained. I still cannot believe it's happened."
Lady Carolyn Warren, daughter of Lord Carnarvon, added:
"'She was such a gutsy filly, very brave and gave us a tremendous amount of pleasure. It is a major loss for us and must have been horrible for Richard Hannon to be at the scene."
Pedigree
Niche is by Risk Me, British-trained French Champion 2yo and winner of the Prix Jean PratPrix Jean Prat
The Prix Jean Prat is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Chantilly over a distance of 1,600 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early July.-History:...
, Grand Prix de Paris
Grand Prix de Paris
The Grand Prix de Paris is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.-History:...
, Greenham Stakes
Greenham Stakes
The Greenham Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Newbury over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in April....
and the National Stakes
National Stakes
The National Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September....
. He is also the sire of popular sprinter Branston Abby.
Cubby Hole, is a half sister to Ascot Gold Cup winner Little Wolf
Little Wolf
Little Wolf was a Northern Cheyenne Chief...
, but never raced. Niche is half sister to three winners: Wolf Mountain; Holetown; and, Ravine.